WARREN JFK tops Crusaders, go to 8-0

Coach Tony Napolet said he never expected this kind of success.
By SAL MARINO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN -- Alex Senk passed for 135 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown to keep Warren Kennedy High undefeated as the Eagles topped Steubenville Central Catholic 34-15 Friday at Mollenkopf Stadium.
The Eagles (8-0), who are No. 2 in Division V Region 17 of the computer ratings, dominated in the first half, but had to hold off a stubborn Crusader comeback.
"I think we had it too easy in the first half," said Kennedy coach Tony Napolet. "In the second half, it seemed like we didn't have much at all. We played some sloppy ball and we had two touchdowns called back because of penalties."
Drives: The Eagles drove 48 yards in three plays to score their first touchdown, with Senk racing in from 35 yards with 9 minutes, 24 seconds left.
On the ensuing kickoff, Steubenville fumbled, and Josh Cayson recovered for the Eagles on the Crusaders' 8-yard line.
Cayson immediately scored 12 seconds later on an 8-yard run.
The third score came with 3:22 left as Cayson dashed 20 yards to push the Eagles' lead to 21-0.
Cayson finished with 103 yards on 15 carries and the two touchdowns.
JFK started another drive from its own 28 in the second quarter, and moments later Orion Knepp caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Senk.
Senk, who completed 3-of-4 passes for 61 yards during the drive, said, "I was more rounded tonight. I put it together better, but it was a team win. We have a lot of room for improvement, and one of them is less penalties."
The Crusaders scored with no time remaining in the second period, when Ryan Cummings caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Steve Spencer to climax a 17-play, 78-yard march.
With 9:32 left in the third period, the Eagles' quarterback fumbled, and Bill Poisinelli recovered for Steubenville at the JFK 19.
Moments later, Chris Williams intercepted a pass for JFK at the Crusaders' 35 and returned it for a touchdown.
Steubenville completed the scoring, going 88 yards in 10 plays as Korey Coulter caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Spence, who completed 10-of-24 passes for 132 yards.
"I never expected to be 8-0," Napolet said. "Our seniors and our coaches get credit for that."